'Next Silicon Valley' Ambitions in Las Vegas

What will it take for Las Vegas to fulfill its ambitions to become a hub of the tech industry?

1 minute read

January 30, 2015, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Ed Komenda writes a feature article on the plans of Las Vegas to become "the next Silicon Valley" for the Las Vegas Sun. Komenda begins the feature by reporting the surprise announcement by Governor Brian Sandoval during his State of the State address that the Las Vegas-based data company Switch "will dole out $2 billion to build 4.5 million square feet of additional warehouse space in Las Vegas and Reno, bringing an estimated 5,000 new jobs to the economy."

After detailing some of the past efforts to position Las Vegas as a capital for the tech industry (Switch, for instance, purchased a fiber optic network put in place and left for the taking by the infamous Enron), Komenda goes on to detail "the six most important factors that will make or break Las Vegas’s future as a major technology hub." That list comprises 1) education, 2) connectivity, 3) financial, 4) transportation, 5) culture, and Hsieh (of course).

On transportation, Komenda notes that Las Vegas has 40 million visitors a year, so new and existing business is always on the doorstep. But Southwest Nevada still lacks a public transit system worthy of the metro area's size to move that business around. 

Monday, January 26, 2015 in Las Vegas Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Close-up on e-scooters parked in painted designated parking area on city street.

E-Scooter Parking: A Guide

How smart planning — and ample designated parking — can end conflicts over shared scooters.

May 14 - Streetsblog USA

Aerial view of Bozeman, Montana with mountains in background.

‘It’s Been 50 years’: Public Transit Law Passes in Montana

Legislation would fix transportation district issue, allow for greater reach on city bus routes.

May 14 - Daily Montanan

Illustration of nighttime city with white lines connecting nodes to illustrate technology and connectivity

Top 10 Tech-Ready Cities

An index ranks U.S. cities based on their preparedness for the ‘smart city future.’

May 14 - Smart Cities Dive